article. Though the majority of the species dealt with are to be found in Southland, I have not restricted myself to artificial boundaries, and “southern” in this case must be understood to mean practically Southland and Otago. For much information regarding the moths of central Otago I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Lewis, and I have also freely availed myself of information supplied by other trustworthy workers. Where no locality is given for a species it may be understood that it is to be found in the near neighbourhood of Inver-cargill.

Metacrias strategica.

This moth appears to be on the increase. The larva is probably distasteful to birds, and as it feeds on introduced grasses its increase is not a matter for surprise. On the 9th December, 1901, I put a couple of newly emerged females in a box and placed it on a low shrub. This was at half-past 5 in the morning, and in a few minutes several males were flying round the bush, and in the course of the day nearly two hundred visited the box. I have several times seen the males on the wing between 5 and 6 a.m. It resembles in this habit the very common Nyctemera annulata.

Miselia iota, Hdsn.

A very worn example of this moth was taken in the winter of 1900, and a second was secured at sugar in October, 1901.

Orthosia immunis.

There appears to be only an autumn brood of this moth. I have met with it in fair numbers on the ragwort (Senecio) in March, but have not taken it at any other time.

Physetica cærulea.

This moth may be struck off our southern lists for the present, the Orepuki examples having turned out to be Leucania moderata.

Leucania propria.

This species is often confused with L. atristriga. The fore wings are, however, broader in propria, and the difference in form of the dark longitudinal basal streak is very noticeable. This streak in atristriga tapers to an acute point, while in propria it is but slightly tapered, and ends obtusely.

L. acontistis.

I learn from Mr. J. H. Lewis that this species is common at Ida Valley and Wedderburn.

L. toroneura.

Also fairly common at Ida Valley.

Melanchra disjungens.

On the authority of Mr. Robert Gibb, Tuturau, near Mataura, may be added to the localities for this handsome moth. It is strange that it has never been taken in this district, which is not more than thirty miles from Tuturau.

M. paracausta.

Abundant at Haldane and Tuturau; much scarcer at West Plains.

M. lithias.

Common at Wedderburn, J. H. Lewis.

M. proteastis.

For the past three years I have always obtained a few examples of this rarity during the month of April.

M. diatmeta.

Three in December at flowers of Parsonsia albiflora,^* and one at sugar in September.

M. umbra, Hdsn.

Recently described by Mr. Hudson from specimens secured in this district. This fine moth, which is common during the summer months, is extremely variable. Three varieties are figured by Mr. Hudson.

M. homoscia.

Rare, but occurring from October to June.

M. grandiosa.

The type specimen was taken at sugar on the 11th May. A few evenings later another was secured by Mr. George Howes.

M. octans.

Evidently a very rare insect. Beside the type specimen, now in Mr. G. V. Hudson's collection, but one other example has been taken. This is in the possession of Mr. Robert Dunlop, of Orepuki,^† who secured it at the electric light.

M. exquisita.

Type taken at sugar in December. Mr. Lewis has also taken one at Ida Valley.

Agrotis admirationis.

Fairly common at Ida Valley.

Dasypodia selenophora.

This fine moth may, I think, be placed on our list as permanently established. About a dozen examples have been noticed during the last three years.

Tatosoma topea.

Fairly common at flowers of Parsonsia albiflora in December.

Paradetis porphyrias.

Mr. G. V. Hudson found this peculiar little moth in fair numbers at Paradise, Lake Wakatipu.

Hydriomena rixata.

Common at light from December to February.

H. purpurifera.

One specimen in January at flowers of ragwort. The species is fairly common on Flagstaff Hill, near Dunedin.

H. subochraria.

One example in February at flowers of ragwort.

Venusia verriculata.

I secured one at sugar in June. A dense fog prevailed, and no other insects were about.

Xanthorhoe orophyla.

Mr. J. H. Lewis has met with orophyla at Wedderburn. It is probably generally distributed north of Dunedin.

X. stinaria.

According to Mr. Lewis this species is very common at the Matukituki River, Wanaka.

X. occulta.

Rare, but might easily be passed over as ægrota.

X. oraria.

Abundant during the summer months on the sandhills near the coast.

X. cinerearia.

This moth varies considerably in point of size and depth of colouring. I have one specimen so dark as to be almost black.

X. bulbulata.

Common at New River on sandhills, and probably found in most uncultivated open situations.

Lythria euclidiata.

Abundant in all open undisturbed situations.

Dasyuris partheniata.

Mr. George Howes took several near Dunedin.

Notoreas insignis.

I have examples from Wedderburn.

N. synclinalis.

I have not met with this beautiful moth in any other locality than Seaward Moss, where it is very common during the summer months. When on the wing the insect appears to be almost black, the striking coloration of the fore wings not being observable.

Theoxena scissaria.

Ida Valley in October.

Selidosema fenerata.

Not common; one or two at ragwort in February.

S. fascialata.

Fairly common at ragwort in February.

Hybernia indocilis.

Wedderburn, J. H. Lewis.

Sestra flexata.

I have taken so far but one example of this species, and am inclined to regard it as an extreme form of humeraria.

Ipana leptomera.

The southern forms of this variable species appear to be darker than those of the north. Examples from Wellington which I have had an opportunity of examining are light ochreous- brown, while southern forms (males) are dark-brown and the females delicate silvery-grey. The male variety with the four black spots on the fore wings is not uncommon here, while the form with the large black blotch in the centre of the fore wings is occasionally met with.

Declana egregia.

Mr. Robert Dunlop, of Orepuki, has taken a fine series of this handsome moth; in fact, he found it to be one of the most frequent visitors to the electric light. It seems to be a constant form in a very variable genus.

D. hermione.

Several at light, Orepuki.

D. griseata.

One at sugar at West Plains, and several at Orepuki Very variable.

Erebia pluto.

Fairly common on the mountains round Lake Wakatipu.

Erebia butleri.

Humboldt Range. I am indebted to Mr. G. V. Hudson for examples of this and the preceding species.

Chrysophanus salustius.

There is a great difference between northern and southern forms. Typical Wellington males are almost one-quarter larger, and exhibit very little of the dark-brown colour, the spots being reduced to mere dots, and the terminal bands being very narrow. Examples from this district have the brown colouring extending from base to about ⅓, and broad borders of the same colour on costa, termen, and dorsum; the spots are also large, and in many cases form unbroken bands. Altogether, our variety of salustius much more nearly resembles C. enysii than Wellington specimens of salustius. An apparently constant distinction between enysii and salustius will be found in the colour of the cilia of the hind wings. In salustius this is bright-yellow, in enysii dull-orange.

Diptychophora persophanes.

Very common here among manuka during summer. I have also examples from Dunedin and Lake Wanaka.

D. lepidella.

West Plains, Dunedin, and Lake Wanaka. Probably generally distributed wherever manuka (Leptospermum) is found.

D. interrupta.

Lake Wanaka and Ida Valley. Mr. Lewis informs me that Ida Valley specimens are duller and more inconspicuous than Lake Wanaka forms.

D. auriscriptella.

Plentiful among manuka. Our variety appears to be somewhat smaller and duller in colour than northern forms.

Thinasotia flaviferella.

Wedderburn.

Crambus simplex.

Common at Wedderburn. I have also met with it at Sandy Point and New River, near Invercargill.

C. apicellus.

Abundant during summer months.

C. vitellus.

Fairly common, West Plains and Wedderburn.

C. tahulalis.

Very rare. One example at light in February.

C cyclopicus.

Wedderburn.

C. corruptus.

Wedderburn.

C. xanthogrammus.

Ida Valley. I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Lewis for specimens of this and the two preceding species.

C. aethonellus.

Abundant and generally distributed November to January. Some slight variation is exhibited in the form of the white central stripe of the fore wings and the depth of ground-colour.

Orocrambus thymiastes.

This beautiful insect is abundant at Seaward Moss. I have not met with it in any other locality.

Diasemia graminalis.

Very common on sandhills at New River from October to January. It is not restricted, however, to sandy situations, being found in plenty in most open localities.

Paraponyx nitens.

Common at light in February.

Scoparia indistinctalis.

Not common. I have met with two or three specimens.

S. ustimacula.

Fairly common in low-lying bush.

S. trivirgata.

Abundant in dry open country. The markings appear to be constant, but there is unusual variation in point of size.

S. chimeria.

A few examples in bush during February.

S. colpota.

Abundant in swampy bush in January and February.

S. asterisca.

Rare. One or two at light in February.

S. exilis.

Common, and generally distributed.

S. encapna.

During February I found this species in fair numbers in a swampy situation here. It is not easy to follow its movements when on the wing, as its flight is erratic and rapid.

Platyptilia haasti.

P. falcatalis.

The moth referred to as falcatalis in the “Catalogue” (Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxxiii., 167) should be haasti. I have however, since found the true falcatalis at Waihopai. It appears to be much scarcer than haasti.

Pterophorus lycosemus.

Several examples in December.

P. monospilalis.

A few, associated with lycosemus. Are they varieties of one species?

Pyrgotis pyramidalis.

Otatara in October. Not so common as plagiatana.

Harmologa sisyrana.

H. oblongana.

I am indebted to Mr. Lewis for examples of these insects. They were taken at Wedderburn.

H. amplexana.

Fairly common.

Atomotricha ommatias.

An early spring species. Very common at sugar in April and May.

Brachysara sordida.

Also an early species. Not so common as the preceding.

Trachypepla euryleucota.

A few in December. My specimens were all taken when the manuka (Leptospermum) was in blossom. I am inclined to think that as the moth sits at rest its white head, thorax, and basal portion of wings are of protective value by reason of their resemblance to an opening manuka-bud.

Semiocosma peroneanella.

Not common. Generally distributed. Through the kindness of Mr. G. V. Hudson I have been enabled to compare the northern S. peroneanella with this insect (Semiocosma mystis, of Meyrick) and am unable to separate the species. The character relied on by Mr. Meyrick as distinctive is by no means constant in the southern forms.

S. paraneura.

Common at sugar in December and January.

Gymnobathra calliploca.

Very common in forest during summer.

œcophora epymilia.

Comes occasionally to sugar in November and December.

œ. griseata.

I think that this species may be taken off our southern lists for the present. I cannot find that Mr. Howes's examples differ from hemimochla.

Phæosaces liochroa.

Uncertain in appearance. I found it in some numbers in the summer of 1901–2.

Heliostibes electrica.

Not uncommon in January.

Erechthias fulguritella.

Occasionally met with.

Gracilaria linearis.

Frequently taken at light, and common among rough herbage during spring and summer.